News and Current Affairs
Duluth’s ‘Mushroom House’ looks for new owner
The “Mushroom House” near the University of Minnesota Duluth is for sale. (All photos via realtor.com)
When it comes to houses, Duluth is noted for the grand, turn-of-the-century mansions clinging to the Lake Superior shoreline or more modern places with stunning hilltop views but there are unique gems sprinkled throughout the city and one of them is on the market.
“The Mushroom House,” located at 1401 Mississippi Ave., just northwest of the University of Minnesota Duluth campus, was listed for sale Aug. 9. The five-bedroom, three-bath home was built in 1971 in a striking triple-dome shape that seems to grow out of its wooded, half-acre lot. The listed price is $279,900. (more…)
R.I.P. Gannucci’s Italian Market
Gannucci's to close, liquidate all business items - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota
The West Duluth deli and Italian market was established in the mid-1970s as Conito's Italian Village, and was renamed in 2011.
duluthnewstribune.com
The Duluth News Tribune reports Gannucci’s Italian Market in West Duluth is closed and a liquidation auction will be held Aug. 25.
Duluth Population: 1860 to 2020
According to the 2020 United States Census, Duluth’s population hit 86,697, up 432 people from the 2010 count but still down 20,187 from the all-time high in 1960. (more…)
Duluth Primary Election Results 2021
With 34 of 34 precincts reporting …
Duluth At-large City Councilor
Top four candidates advance to General Election
Azrin Awal | 2,946
Terese Tomanek | 2,893
Joe Macor | 2,589
Timothy L. Meyer | 989
Ashlie Castaldo | 988
Scott Jenkins | 703
Dezuwon “Pez” Davila | 594
Nancy Stam | 508
Duluth Second District City Councilor
Top two candidates advance to General Election
Mike Mayou | 954
Dave Zbaracki | 289
Andrew C. Jarocki | 254
Andrew Hilfers | 24
Duluth Fourth District City Councilor
Top two candidates advance to General Election
Renee K. Van Nett | 653
Howie Hanson | 524
Nathaniel Rankin | 118
Live music returns to Sacred Heart, fall concerts announced
The Cactus Blossoms performing on the Sacred Heart Music Center altar stage in 2019. (Photo by Michael K. Anderson)
After an 18-month pandemic closure, Sacred Heart Music Center will welcome live audiences back to a full concert schedule beginning in September. (more…)
League of Women Voters 2021 Duluth Candidate Forum
The League of Women Voters held this candidate forum for At-large Duluth City Council candidates on July 28. Mary Faulkner is the moderator.
Duluth 2021 Primary Election Sample Ballot
Most Duluthians will see a ballot that looks like the sample above when they vote in the Primary Election on Aug. 10. There are two other city council races that will appear on ballots in specific parts of the city. (more…)
Algae blooms on Lake Superior continue
The first confirmed sighting of blue-green algae on Lake Superior was in 2012. Since then, scientists have been trying to determine what’s causing it and if it’s linked to climate change.
Spirit Mountain, Mission Creek trail link ready
A biker crosses the new Sargent Creek bridge on the DWP Trail Connector west of Ely Peak. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A critical bridge is open, a tunnel has been repaired and work is nearly complete on a six-mile scenic trail that uses a former rail line to connect two large recreation sites on the west side of Duluth.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Division is in the final stages of improvements to the Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific Trail Connector which provides a direct link between the Mission Creek trail system in the Frederick Rodney Paine Forest Preserve and Spirit Mountain. A ribbon cutting on the $600,000 trail project is expected later this summer. (more…)
PDD Quiz: July 2021 in Review
Another month of summer has flown by. Were you paying attention to current events? Step up to this week’s quiz and find out!
Duluth movie mentions will be the theme of the next PDD quiz, which will be published on Aug. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Aug. 11. (more…)
Ride or Die Pizzeria open in Superior
Superior couple builds legacy with fresh ingredients at Ride or Die Pizzeria - Superior Telegram | News, weather, sports from Superior Wisconsin
Terry and Dawn Johnson hope to leave the new business to their children one day.
superiortelegram.com
The Superior Telegram reports a new pizzeria has opened in Superior. Terry and Dawn Johnson are the proprietors of Ride or Die Pizzeria at 1623 Broadway St., the former home of Thirsty Pagan Brewing, which moved to new location a block away in 2019.
The Johnsons also own Lee’s Pizza in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District.
PDD Quiz: June 2021 in Review
See how many of this month’s headlines you remember with this week’s current events quiz!
The next PDD quiz will test your ability to match historical buildings to their modern occupants; it will be published on July 18. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by July 15. (more…)
Mysterious timber crib disappears from Canal Park beach
A large timber crib, shown here in 2010, was beached for almost 15 years. City officials said the structure was removed and demolished as part of the recently completed Lakewalk improvement project. (Photo by Kip Praslowicz)
A mysterious wooden structure that had been shipwrecked for years on a Canal Park beach has disappeared following a year-long project designed to improve a popular Duluth walking trail battered by Lake Superior storms. (more…)
Peace Pipeline: Duluth-based Yes Men video takedown of Line 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsddzXOUjY&t=8s
My brother Allen Richardson and I were “Yes Men” for a day. This is how the amazing project went down.
R.I.P. Shorty’s Pizza & Smoked Meats
Shorty’s Pizza shortly after it opened in 2013. (Photo by Cindy Vu)
Shorty’s Pizza & Smoked Meats in Superior announced today via Facebook it has ceased operations due to a labor shortage in the hospitality industry. (more…)
PDD Quiz: May 2021 in Review
Test your knowledge of May 2021 headlines with this week’s PDD Quiz!
The next PDD quiz, on notable Duluth animals, is coming your way on June 13. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by June 10. (more…)
Duluth-area beer production holds tight through pandemic
When Perfect Duluth Day last tallied regional craft beer production in 2018, the Twin Ports and surrounding region had tripled output over the previous five years, quenching area thirst with about 57,000 barrels of beer. Suds production has certainly slowed and dipped a bit since the previous audit. This mirrors the national trend, which indicates a 9 percent decline in production by small and independent brewers in 2020. (more…)
Elvis slept here: Radisson opens Legends Suite
Radisson Hotel Duluth Harborview Sales and Marketing Director Nancy Kilpo poses with Duluth musician Todd Eckart, impersonating Elvis Presley, in the hotel’s newly redecorated Legends Suite. Presley stayed in the 15th floor suite following Duluth performances in 1976 and 1977. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
Elvis Presley fans who want to live like the king of rock and roll now have a special place to stay in Duluth.
The Radisson Hotel Duluth Harborview, 505 Superior St., has redecorated and renamed its 15th floor suite where Presley stayed following Twin Ports performances in 1976 and 1977. The Legends Suite features concert photos, posters, a ticket stub and other memorabilia recognizing the Presley visit as well as tributes to singer-songwriter Bob Dylan — who was born in Duluth — and country music outlaw Willie Nelson. (more…)
R.I.P. Duluth Electric Fetus
View through the glass door to the Duluth Electric Fetus store on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Paul Lundgren)
Duluth’s Electric Fetus store, 12 E. Superior St., announced today it will not reopen. The store was best known for selling compact discs and other music products, though items like jewelry, clothing and gifts made up a larger chunk of the sales. The company’s Minneapolis location will remain open. (more…)
Blacklist Brewing finds new space downtown
Blacklist Brewing Company will move its taproom and brewing operations from 120 E. Superior St. to the Lange Motors building one block east this summer. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske).
A Downtown Duluth brewery and taproom is moving into a larger, newly renovated space just an axe-toss away from its existing location on East Superior Street.
Blacklist Brewing Company will move its brewing operations, taproom and axe-throwing lanes one block east into the historic Lange Motors building at 206 E. Superior St. The move will almost double its serving and entertainment space and increase its brewing capacity. (more…)
Hartman tapped for DECC director job
After a national search, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center announced today that Dan Hartman will serve as its next executive director. Hartman has been director of Glensheen Mansion since 2013 and prior to that was curator at Veterans Memorial Hall. He also served on Duluth’s city council from 2010 to 2014.
As a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2006, Hartman led the student campaign to build the DECC’s Amsoil Arena. He follows interim executive director Roger Reinert, who has headed the DECC since August. Hartman will start in his new role at the DECC on June 14.
Demolition, apartments is new plan for Esmond building
The Esmond Building – formerly the Seaway Hotel – at 2001 W. Superior St. in Lincoln Park. The now vacant, city-owned building would be demolished and replaced with a mixed use housing project under a new redevelopment proposal. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A historic but blighted building in the heart of the Lincoln Park craft district could be headed for demolition after plans to renovate the city-owned property fell through and officials started working with a new developer. (more…)
PDD Quiz: April 2021 in Review
Wake up your brain with this week’s current events quiz!
Duluth’s Old Central High School will be the focus of the next PDD quiz on May 16. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by May 12. (more…)
Frost River has gone solar
Frost River, a maker of canvas packs in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District, is now powering its manufacturing facility and retail store with solar panels. The new rooftop panels are from EPF Solar of Minneapolis and were installed by Belknap Electric. (more…)
Duluth’s Old City Hall to become boutique hotel
Duluth restaurant and hospitality company Just Take Action is in the process of converting Duluth’s Old City Hall into a 13-room hotel with four hostel rooms and a Roaring Twenties theme. (more…)